Higher Learning with Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay
The Ringer
Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay dissect the biggest topics in Black culture, politics, and sports. Two times per week, they will wade into the most important and timely conversations, frequently inviting guests on the podcast and occasionally debating each other.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Jan 10, 2023 • 1h 25min
The Concessions of McCarthy, Plus Meek Mill’s Ghanaian Vacation
Van and Rachel discuss Kevin McCarthy finally being named speaker of the House (27:55), and the swearing in of embattled U.S. Representative George Santos (48:54). Then, Damar Hamlin heads back to Buffalo to continue his recovery (56:47), and Meek Mill shoots a video at the presidential residence in Ghana, controversy ensues (1:00:42).Hosts: Van Lathan Jr. and Rachel LindsayProducers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Dec 30, 2022 • 1h 56min
The Guilty Verdict of Tory Lanez With Meghann Cuniff, and Anti-Blackness From the Diaspora
Van and Rachel react to the guilty verdict of Tory Lanez (7:07), before welcoming senior reporter for Law & Crime News Meghann Cuniff to break down the trial (35:28). Plus, Akon says Africans are better performers than African Americans (1:16:22).Hosts: Van Lathan Jr. and Rachel LindsayGuest: Meghann CuniffProducers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Dec 27, 2022 • 20min
Holiday Book Recommendations With Maiysha Kai
Van and Rachel welcome lifestyle editor of The Grio and host of the ‘Writing Black’ podcast to discuss her list of must-read books.Hosts: Van Lathan Jr. and Rachel LindsayGuest: Maiysha KaiProducers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Dec 23, 2022 • 1h 41min
Trump’s Taxes, Plus Aaron Rupar: Banned by Elon Musk
Van and Rachel react to the release of Donald Trump’s tax returns (12:48) before welcoming journalist Aaron Rupar to discuss having his Twitter account suspended and the future of the platform (38:20). Then it’s time for a TikTok talk (1:04:53).Hosts: Van Lathan Jr. and Rachel LindsayGuest: Aaron RuparProducers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Dec 20, 2022 • 1h 42min
Prosecuting a President, and the Life of P-22
he House January 6 committee approves criminal referrals for Donald Trump. What happens next (18:35)? Then, with the passing of the world’s most famous mountain lion, Beth Pratt is back to remember P-22 (36:04). Plus, a discussion about the differences between Gunna’s and Megan Thee Stallion’s legal situations (1:02:35).Hosts: Van Lathan Jr. and Rachel LindsayGuest: Beth PrattProducers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Dec 16, 2022 • 2h 2min
The Tory Lanez Trial, and Did Gunna Snitch? Plus, Concern for Mountain Lion
Van and Rachel discuss the latest in the Tory Lanez trial (16:14), before welcoming rapper and podcaster Glasses Malone to react to Gunna’s plea deal in the RICO case (1:00:16). Plus, with the health of the world’s most famous mountain lion in question, conservationist Beth Pratt joins to discuss P-22 (1:15:04).Hosts: Van Lathan Jr. and Rachel LindsayGuest: Glasses Malone and Beth PrattProducers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Dec 13, 2022 • 1h 43min
Booing the Richest Man in the World, and Body Positivity With Kelvin Davis
Van and Rachel react to the Dave Chappelle’s crowd booing Elon Musk in San Francisco (16:11), and R. Kelly’s got brand new music (42:05). Then, plus-size model and fashion blogger Kelvin Davis joins to discuss body positivity and style (51:32), before a discussion about Skip Bayless (1:19:05).Hosts: Van Lathan Jr. and Rachel LindsayGuest: Kelvin DavisProducers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Dec 6, 2022 • 1h 44min
The Deion Discourse and Jackson State, Plus the War for “Woke”
Van and Rachel discuss the reaction to Deion Sanders’s decision to leave Jackson State for Colorado (27:43), and Ron DeSantis aids being pressed to define the word “woke” (1:05:04). Plus, Natalie Nunn of ‘Baddies West’ calls in for a quick chat about exploitation (1:09:59), then a discussion of the collection of slave memorabilia in light of a recent red carpet appearance (1:24:19).Hosts: Van Lathan Jr. and Rachel LindsayGuest: Natalie NunnProducers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Dec 2, 2022 • 1h 43min
'South Side' With Diallo Riddle and Kanye Loves Hitler
After welcoming Ashleigh Smith, the newest member of the pod, Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay discuss LeBron James’s comments about the non-coverage of the Jerry Jones controversy (20:16), and Kanye West's praise for the author of 'Mein Kampf' (37:09). Plus, writer and producer Diallo Riddle joins to discuss his underground hit shows 'South Side' and 'Sherman’s Showcase' (54:04).Hosts: Van Lathan Jr. and Rachel LindsayGuest: Diallo RiddleProducers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Nov 29, 2022 • 1h 25min
The Questionable Pasts of the Joneses: Jerry and James Earl
Van and Rachel kick the show off by remembering the lives of friend and music executive Hovain Hylton, and actress and pop star Irene Cara (12:46), before digging into a photo of a teenage Jerry Jones at a desegregation protest in 1957 Arkansas (28:09). Plus, an analysis of a 1968 video of James Earl Jones discussing Black women being “uptight” (53:45).Hosts: Van Lathan Jr. and Rachel LindsayProducer: Donnie Beacham Jr. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
